of Sherwood, AR
December 9, 1928 - January 7, 2022
BILLY JOE ''BILL'' BLACKWOOD peacefully departed this life on January 7, 2022, with his family at his side. He was born on December 9, 1928, to William Oliver ''Bud'' and Zettie Marie (Motley) Blackwood. He was the fourth of seven children and was raised in the Sylvan Hills community, which is now part of Sherwood, Ar.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of sixty-nine years, Barbara Dean (Cochran), son Anthony, his brother William Harold Blackwood (Bonnie), four grandchildren, Kimberly, Samantha, Brandon, and Josh and seven great-grandchildren, also thirteen nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son Bill Michael, his parents, his sisters Ina Rea ''Sonny'' Gerardi (Chuck), Martha Sue Farris (Gerald), Marilou McDonald (Joe), Frances Gossoo (Jim), brother Junior ''Jerry'' Blackwood (Estelle), nephews Sammy Gossoo and Jonathon Blackwood (Dean).
Bill graduated from North Little Rock High School. He proudly served his country in the United States Army fighting in the Korean War. After the war he went to work for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, now known as Union Pacific, spending thirty-eight years with the company. He also worked part-time with Inner City Boiler Works and Twin City Boiler Works. He eventually moved on to what was his favorite occupation. When he was still in high school, he drove a bus for the elementary and junior high kids from Sylvan Hills. He always wanted to return to it. While still with Union Pacific he decided to join the Pulaski County Special School District as a bus driver. His desire was to carry ball teams to their games. To do so he had to become a regular driver for the district, which he did for thirty-three years. He was well known for the love and care he shared with the kids that rode with him. Bill was forever grateful for the opportunity to carry whom he considered ''precious cargo.'' He lost count of the number of football, basketball, baseball, and volleyball games, band and field trips and special events he carried students to.
Bill spent many years sharing his time with his community through coaching youth football, youth baseball and girls softball. He spent a lifetime of volunteering for the Sylvan Hills Bears football program. He began in 1960 as part of the chain crew working the sidelines with lifelong best friends, the late Bill Magby and the late James ''Tub'' Kyzer. After almost two decades of sideline fun he was invited, by Mr. Bill Brown, the long-time stadium announcer, to run the score board. He enjoyed ''running the clock'' for forty plus years with the very special Mr. Bob Moore sitting next to him running the play clock for many years. He was always happy to share the fact that he had missed only three and a half Sylvan Hills High School (SHHS) football games in sixty years. He didn't miss many SHHS baseball games since the program began in 1971. He provided bubble gum for the players at the games for most of those years. He also provided soft drinks for the cheerleaders at away football and basketball games. Bill was very well known, and loved, by so many athletes, students, teachers, coaches, parents, sports fans, and members of the community, early on he became known most affectionately as ''Mr. B.'' His many years of dedication to Sylvan Hills brought about the honor of having the football stadium named after him. Thanks to Coach Denny Tipton and the group who helped make that possible. Being the humble man he was and while feeling immense gratitude, Bill never quite grasped just how much he was appreciated.
Bill was a big Arkansas Razorback and Dallas Cowboys fan. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and water skiing in his more active years. Most of all, he enjoyed decades of golf with friends Tub Kyzer, and Bill Magby, as well as a huge number of other friends and several acquaintances. Our thanks to the Brown family and everyone at Pine Valley Golf Course for making Bill feel like part of the family.
The family would like to thank Dr. Jock Cobb, Melissa and the staff and Dr. Mark St. Pierre, Sam and the staff for the attention and compassion shown while Bill was in their care. They would also like to thank their own family members and friends who have offered to help during this most difficult time. Thanks to the SHHS community and the coaching staff for letting ''Mr. B'' take part in what he enjoyed so much.
Services will be provided by Roller-Owens Funeral Home of North Little Rock. The service will be held at Sylvan Hills Community Church in Sherwood on Friday, January 14, 2022. Visitation will be at 1:00 pm and the service will follow at 2:00 pm. Burial will be in Arkansas Memorial Gardens located at 8507 Hwy 161, North Little Rock, Ar. Bro. Tim McMinn will officiate the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may go to the SHHS Bear Booster Club or a charity of choice in Bill's name.
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23 Condolence(s)
Allison Smith (Kemp)
Sunday, January 16, 2022
I’m so grateful for all the years of kindness Mr. B showed me as my bus driver. He never let me walk in the rain. I was his last stop and he’d take me straight to my driveway. He made me feel safe. He was truly the kindest man to Sylvan Hills students. I know he made a difference to so many. He will be missed.
Melissa Kalahiki
Saturday, January 15, 2022
I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of Mr Blackwood. He was such a wonderful person. Always with a smile on his face. Sherwood has lost a wonderful man. I will continue to pray for the family during this very difficult time!
Darius martin
Friday, January 14, 2022
You will be missed Mr.B
Carolyn Lipsmeyer
Friday, January 14, 2022
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
carl presley
Friday, January 14, 2022
I met Mr.B in 2003. He drove several basketball and track teams to their various sights safely. He would always have a good conversation for you each time he talked to you. He always greeted you with a smile and a firm handshake. He was one of the finest men I had a chance to meet while working in sherwood. Rest in peace sir. You will be missed.
Twila Hayden-Baker
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Always enjoyed t
Valery (Higgins) Abernathy
Thursday, January 13, 2022
I am so sorry for your loss! I am honored to have known Mr. B. He was very supportive to my volleyball players when he drove us to our games. He will be greatly missed. I truly loved Mr.B and his sister Fran Gosso. God bless all of you.
Larie Scallon
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Mr. B was a true example for us all. He was kind to everyone and put others before himself. He loved Sylvan Hills and driving the bus for our sport teams. I rode with Mr. B countless times and he ALWAYS had gum for every player. Prayers for his family in the weeks and months ahead. You will be greatly Mr. B.
June & Joe owen
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
We are so very sorry for your loss. We sure enjoyed the times we got to visit at our eating places. Please take care of yourself.
Much love & prayers
Tracy Morgan
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
What do you say that hasn’t already been said about Mr B. I’ll just say I enjoyed our Razorback and Cowboys conversations while we both enjoyed a cold Dr. Pepper and a Snickers bar while we waited for the games to get started.
He always would say. “ Boy that music sure has changed over the yearsâ€!
I’d respond, “Yes sir its what the kids like these days and one thing is for sure we had better taste in music back in the days!â€
It was a pleasure getting to know you sir.
Your memory will live on in the Sylvan Hills Community
God Bless and rest easy my friend.
Tim Bir
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
I'll truly miss you Mr. B. I'll miss our time together in the cheap seats at the Basketball games. The "Hill" just won't be the same come next baseball season. Our Press Box will be a lonely place without you on the clock. And thank you for always getting my boys home safely from all their sporting events. Rest in Peace my friend.
David Crownover
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
A wonderful obituary for a great man! The world needs more Mr B’s! Thank you for your love for the community! Rest In Peace and our condolences to your family and friends!
Rocky Fawcett
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Mr. B was one of the first people I met when I got to SH. It didn’t take long for me to realize what a good man and a GREAT Bear fan he was. He had a way of always making me feel as though he was always genuinely glad to see me. He was such a good man. I am so blessed and fortunate to have known him. He will be missed by so many! His spirit will always live on at the stadium named in his honor.
Cody Dillon
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Mr B, you’re the poster man for what this world needs more of. You did everything for everyone else, simply because you were a great soul.
I got my first “taste†of the Mr B gum experience my sophomore year of baseball at SHHS & slowly realized that it became one of my favorite parts of being in the dugout or on a road trip. . . every time I see an old teammate, Mr B is always brought up (your smile, your kind words, & most definitely the bucket of gum!).
Not just because I loved putting 6 pieces in my back pocket and sneaking a piece each inning, but also the welcoming conversations and words of encouragement you had for us every game! You made us feel special and I promise you that experience lives on through us as we pay it forward.
Thank you for being you!
Much Love Mr B!
Ray snider
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Our love and prayers for Mr. “B†and his family. Truly a Christian man and great friend.
Jodi Hooten Logan
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Mr. Blackwood was my bus driver when I went to Harris Elementary and then he changed and drove us in Jr. High for a little bit before changing routes. I got to ride with him throughout junior high and high school with the drill team and choir. He was so very special to me!! He was as proud of me on report card day as my parents were, and don't think you were getting on the bus without telling him your grades!! He had to take me to the office when I was in 5th grade for fighting on the bus, and he knew I would get paddled for this and he had huge tears in his eyes all the way to the office and even when he was leaving. That afternoon on the ride home he told me why he had to take me to the office. He said he had to treat us all the same even though I was a girl fighting with a boy. He also told me as a girl I shouldn't be fighting with boys because I could get hurt and he teared up again. He used situations we encountered to teach us life lessons. In the late 90s, I ran into Mr. Blackwood at a restaurant in NLR, he called me by whole name and hugged me like he really missed me even after 10 years of being out of school and not seeing him. Thoughts and prayers to his family, friends and all those who loved him. What a great Man!!!!!! GO BEARS!!!!
Kemberley (Hull) Phillips
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Mr. Blackwood drove my bus when I was in middle school many yrs ago. Every morning and afternoon he would have the Statler Brothers playing on on 8 track stereo he had mounted in the bus. He always had a smile and a kind word for each of us.
Leah Hopkins
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Hey. It’s Leah, from Gadwalls. We are all so sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Blackwood. Always one of our favorites. ðŸ™â¤ï¸
Bob Moore
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
I first knew Bill 31 years ago. Since then he’s been like a second daddy to me. Bear ballgames won’t be as much fun anymore without my special friend. I love you Bill, and I’ll miss you terribly. And most of all, Sylvan Hills High School will miss the best Bear fan that they’ve ever had. I Thank God that they named the stadium for him while he was alive. And I believe the dedication was on the night that they were hosting Bill’s alma mater, North Little Rock High School. Thank you Denny Tipton for leading that effort. Bill was so proud. Rest In Peace my friend, you have earned it.
Tracy (Kyzer)
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Thoughts and prayers are with the family.
A former bus rider
Larry and Susan Gilbert
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Thank you
Enjoyed our friendship
Shellie Henderson
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Dearest Family,
So sorry to hear of Mr. Blackwood’s passing and for your loss. Keeping each of you in our thoughts and prayers. May God keep each of you in his everlasting arms and provide you peace and comfort.
Denny Duran
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Much love and healing for the family of Mr. Blackwood. He was my bus driver for the entirety of my Jr. High and High School. I remember he always had the gift of fruit for all of his riders at Christmas time. He live a life of honor and I respected him greatly.